IJSRD - International Journal for Scientific Research & Development| Vol.
1, Issue 3, 2013 | ISSN (online): 2321-0613
Introduction to VIP with PCI Express Technology
Rutva Pathak1
M. E. Student[VLSI & Embedded systems Design]
1
Department of Electronics and Communication, Gujarat Technological University, Ahmedabad
Abstract—This paper describes latest technology PCI
Express and VIP for reusability purpose as it is necessary
for today’s faster verification needs. It is explained using
PCIe Verification IP. This verification is achieved by
developing Device reference module. PCIe is high speed
serial bus that supports 2.5 GT/s to 16 GT/s. PCIe is point to
point device with lane and link concept that support full
duplex communications between two devices. Verification
Intellectual Property is component that behaves exactly like
PCIe design and used for verification of the design.
Additionally it has several features like generation, checking
and coverage. PCIe VIP is architecture using system Verilog
HVL.
Keywords--ASIC, TL, DLL, Lane, Link, Verification, VIP
(Verification Intellectual Property)
I. INTRODUCTION
PCI Express (PCIe) is the third generation, general purpose
and high performance I/O bus used to interconnect
peripheral devices to a computer. PCI Express architecture
is a high performance, IO interconnect for peripherals in
computing/communication platforms Evolved from PCI
and PCI-X architectures Yet PCI Express architecture is
significantly different from its predecessors PCI and PCI-X
. It is shown in Fig 2 that a Root Complex may
Fig. 1: PCI Express Link
Here the idea is to develop a Verification IP for PCI
Express. Verification IP are reusable verification modules
that typically consist of bus functional models, traffic
generators, protocol monitors, and functional coverage
blocks. Each of the verification IP (VIP) accelerates the
development of a complete verification environment to cut
down the time to first test.
Based on widely used and emerging protocols,
verification IP are standards-compliant, plug and play
modules that cut down overall verification time for
engineers using different HVL. They contain the necessary
infrastructure for test-bench generation and checking
mechanisms, as well as all the appropriate routines to create
individual protocols or bus functional models.
Verification IP solutions enable verification
engineers to focus on verifying their designs rather than
spending an excessive amount of time setting up complex
verification environments.
II. ARCHITECTURE
A PCIe fabric is made of point-to-point Links that
interconnect a set of components – an example Fabric
topology is shown in Fig 2.
This fig illustrates a single fabric instance referred
to as a hierarchy – composed of a Root Complex (RC),
multiple Endpoints (I/O devices), a Switch, and a PCI
Express to PCI/PCI-X Bridge, all interconnected via PCI
Express Links.
Fig. 2: Example topology
A. Root Complex:
Root Complex (RC) is the root of an I/O hierarchy and it
connects the CPU or memory subsystem to the I/O devices.
support one or more PCI Express Ports. Each interface
defines a separate hierarchy domain. Each hierarchy domain
may be composed of a single Endpoint or a sub-hierarchy
containing one or more Switch components and Endpoints.
The capability to route peer-to-peer transactions
between hierarchy domains through a Root Complex is
optional and implementation dependent. For example, an
implementation may incorporate a real or virtual Switch
internally within the Root Complex to enable full peer-to
peer support in a software transparent way.
B. Endpoints:
Endpoint is a type of Function that can be the Requester or
Completer of a PCI Express transaction either itself or on
behalf of a distinct non-PCI Express device (something
other than a PCI device or Host CPU), e.g., a PCI Express
attached graphics controller or a PCI Express-USB host
controller. Endpoints are classified as either legacy, PCI
Express, or Root Complex Integrated Endpoints.
Packets are transmitted and received serially and byte
striped across the available Lanes of the Link. The more
Lanes implemented on a Link the faster a packet is
transmitted and the greater the bandwidth of the Link.
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Below Fig (3) shows all layers of PCIe.
Fig. 3: PCI Express layers
III. DEVICE LAYERS AND THEIR ASSOCIATED
PACKETS
Three categories of packets are defined; each one is
associated with one of the three device layers. Associated
with the Transaction Layer is the Transaction Layer Packet
(TLP). Associated with the Data Link Layer is the Data Link
Layer Packet (DLLP). Associated with the Physical Layer is
the Physical Layer Packet (PLP). These packets are
introduced next.
A. Transaction Layer Packets (TLPs)
PCI Express transactions employ TLPs which originate at
the Transaction Layer of a transmitter device and terminate
at the Transaction Layer of a receiver device. This process is
represented in Fig 4. The Data Link Layer and Physical
Layer also contribute to TLP assembly as the TLP moves
through the layers of the transmitting device.
At the other end of the Link where a neighbor
receives the TLP, the Physical Layer, Data Link Layer and
Transaction Layer disassemble the TLP.
Fig. 4: TLP Origin and Destination
1) TLP Packet Assembly
A TLP that is transmitted on the Link appears as shown in
Fig 5.
Introduction to VIP with PCI Express Technology
(IJSRD/Vol. 1/Issue 3/2013/0098)
Fig. 5: TLP Assembly
The software layer or device core sends information
required to assemble the core part of TLP which is header
and data portion of the packet to the Transaction Layer.
Some TLPs do not contain a data section. An
optional End-to-End CRC (ECRC) field is calculated and
appended to the packet. The ECRC field is used by the
ultimate targeted device of this packet to check for CRC
errors in the header and data portion of the TLP.
Fig. 6: TLP Assembly
The software layer or device core sends information
required to assemble the core part of TLP which is
header and data portion of the packet to the Transaction
Layer.
Some TLPs do not contain a data section. An
optional End-to-End CRC (ECRC) field is calculated
and appended to the packet. The ECRC field is used by
the ultimate targeted device of this packet to check for
CRC errors in the header and data portion of the TLP.
The core section of the TLP is forwarded to the
Data Link Layer which then appends a sequence ID and
another LCRC field. The LCRC field is used by the
neighboring receiver device at the other end of the Link
to check for CRC errors in the core section of the TLP
plus the sequence ID.
The resultant TLP is forwarded to the Physical
Layer which concatenates a Start and End framing
character of 1 byte each to the packet. The packet is
encoded and differentially transmitted on the Link using
the available number of Lanes.
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2) A.2 TLP Packet Disassembly
A neighboring receiver device receives the incoming TLP
bit stream. As shown in Fig 6 the received TLP is decoded
by the Physical Layer and the Start and End frame fields are
stripped.
The resultant TLP is sent to the Data Link Layer.
This layer checks for any errors in the TLP and strips the
sequence ID and LCRC field. Assume there are no LCRC
errors, then the TLP is forwarded up to the Transaction
Layer. If the receiving device is a switch, then the packet is
routed from one port of the switch to an egress port based on
address information contained in the header portion of the
TLP.
Fig. 7: TLP Disassembly
Switches are allowed to check for ECRC errors and even
report the errors it finds and error. However, a switch is not
allowed to modify the ECRC that way the targeted device of
this TLP will detect an ECRC error if there is such an error.
The ultimate targeted device of this TLP checks for
ECRC errors in the header and data portion of the TLP. The
ECRC field is removed, leaving the header and data portion
of the packet. It is this information that is finally forwarded
to the Device Core/Software Layer.
B. Data Link Layer Packets (DLLPs)
Another PCI Express packet called DLLP originates at the
Data Link Layer of a transmitter device and terminates at
the Data Link Layer of a receiver device. This process is
represented in Fig 7. The Physical Layer also contributes to
DLLP assembly and disassembly as the DLLP
It moves from one device to another via the PCI
Express Link.
DLLPs are used for Link Management functions
including TLP acknowledgement associated with the
ACK/NAK protocol, power management, and exchange
Fig. 8: DLLP Origin and Destination
Introduction to VIP with PCI Express Technology
(IJSRD/Vol. 1/Issue 3/2013/0098)
of Flow Control information. DLLPs are transferred
between Data Link Layers of the two directly connected
components on a Link. DLLPs do not pass through switches
unlike TLPs which do travel through the PCI Express fabric.
DLLPs do not contain routing information. These packets
are smaller in size compared to TLPs, 8 bytes to be precise.
1) DLLP Assembly
The DLLP shown in Fig 8 on page 76 originates at the Data
Link Layer. There are various types of DLLPs some of
which include Flow Control DLLPs (FCx), acknowledge/ no
acknowledge DLLPs which confirm reception of TLPs
(ACK and NAK), and power management DLLPs (PMx). A
DLLP type field identifies various types of DLLPs. The
Data Link Layer appends a 16-bit CRC used by the receiver
of the DLLP to check for CRC errors in the DLLP.
Fig. 9: DLLP Assembly
The DLLP content along with a 16-bit CRC is forwarded to
the Physical Layer which appends a Start and End frame
character of 1 byte each to the packet. The packet is encoded
and differentially transmitted on the Link using the available
number of Lanes.
2) DLLP Disassembly
The DLLP is received by Physical Layer of a receiving
device. The received bit stream is decoded and the Start and
End frame fields are stripped.
The resultant packet is sent to the Data Link Layer.
This layer checks for CRC errors and strips the CRC field.
The Data Link Layer is the destination layer for DLLPs and
it is not forwarded up to the Transaction Layer.
C. Physical Layer Packets (PLPs)
Another PCI Express packet called PLP originates at the
Physical Layer of a transmitter device and terminates at the
Physical Layer of a receiver device.
Some PLPs are used during the Link Training
process. PLPs are used to place a Link into the electrical idle
low power state or to wake up a link from this low power
state.
IV. VERIFICATION
A. Importance of VIP:
Advanced verification techniques allow the user to increase
the quality and level of verification. New test bench
languages support more sophisticated types of testing, such
as advanced random testing methods. Coverage tools enable
the users to determine the how much verification is done on
different parts of the code providing some feedback on the
quality.
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 Introduction to VIP with PCI Express Technology
(IJSRD/Vol. 1/Issue 3/2013/0098)

VIP should be developed so as to fully exercise the ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

protocol implemented by standards based IP. One extension
of this is the provision of compliance checking VIP from a
standards body or technology leader.
The PCI Express (PCIE) Verification IP is a
reusable, configurable, pre-verified, plug-and-play
verification component developed in System Verilog. It
offers an easy to use and complete verification solution for
SoCs incorporating PCI Express Endpoints, Root Complex,
or Switch at module, chip and system level. The PCI
Express VIP supports automatic stimulus generation,
assertion checking, protocol checking and functional
coverage analysis all within a single, extensible component.
PCIE VIP provides a simple yet powerful user
interface which drastically reduces the time and effort
needed to create a verification environment and verify
thoroughly to ensure first time right silicon. Using random
stimulus generation and coverage driven methodology
provided in PCIE VIP, user can verify the design with
limited test cases in very short duration instead of running
large number of directed test cases.
B. Role of VIP:
The role of Verification IP (VIP) in the development and
successful usage of complex Semiconductor IP (SIP) cores
is tremendous.
The use of standards based verification languages,
provides designers access to key analytical functions such as
transactions and assertions, which enable the validation of
complex functional behavior. It is important to have testing
methods for the verification IP to demonstrate the quality
and the interoperability with Other parts of the verification
environment
Apart from my efforts, the success of any task depends
largely on the encouragement and guidelines of many
others. I take this opportunity to express my gratitude to the
people who have been instrumental in the successful
completion of this literature review. I would like to express
my deepest gratitude to my parents, all my friends who
constantly motivated and supported me. I take immense
pleasure in thanking my guide Mr. Umesh Patel, Director,
ASIC IP Solutions, Sibridge Technologies. I can't thank him
enough for his tremendous support and help. I feel
motivated and encouraged every time I talked with him.
REFERENCES
[1] Intel white paper. "Advanced Switching for the PCI
Express Architecture". www.intel.com, 2002
[2] Intel whitepaper, "Creating a PCI Express Interconnect",
www.intel.com,2002
[3] http://www.pcisig.com
[4] PCI SIG, PCI Express Base Specifications Revision 3.0
Version 1.0 November 10, 2010.
[5] Ravi Budruk, Don Anderson, and Tom Shanley, PCI
Express System ArchilecTure, MindShare, 200
[6] PCI Express White paper [Ajay v. Bhatt, Technology
and Research labs, Intel Corporation]

Fig. 10: PCIe VIP

V. CONCLUSION
PCI Express is a high speed serial protocol which is more
suitable for high speed applications than other bus protocols
like PCI and PCI-X. Verification is one of the most
important tasks for any ASIC design. It is very tough task to
verify a complex protocol like PCIe. There comes need of
VIP. A VIP is a reusable, configurable and easy to deal
verification component user can verify many scenarios and
condition with this and as it is reusable component, one
may do changes for different generations or versions as per
requirement and do the verification with randomization.

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